CM's task force to launch crackdown on power thieves in Punjab

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar on Tuesday approved the formation of a task force to launch an “indiscriminate action” against power thieves in the province, ARY News reported.

According to a statement released after high-level meeting chaired by chief minister, it was decided to constitute chief minister’s task force for bringing an end to electricity theft in Punjab.

The meeting decided that in the first phase, action will be initiated against industrial, commercial and big domestic consumers. Secretary level officers will head the provincial task force while special committees will also be constituted at divisional and district levels. Commissioners and deputy commissioners will lead the divisional and district level committees respectively and divisional and district police officers will also be included in special committees.

The chief minister’s task force will have full cooperation and support of the federal government and other concerned federal agencies.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that indiscriminate action should be initiated for stopping the electricity theft and big fish will be apprehended first during this campaign.

He said that action will be initiated against the government staff facilitating electricity theft and no political association or pressure should be accepted in this regard.

Punjab chief secretary, federal secretary power, additional IG, ACS (energy), CEO LESCO and secretaries of the concerned departments attended the meeting along with federal minister for power Omar Ayub Khan.